Pistol activity recording device

ABSTRACT

A device mountable on a pistol holster configured for detecting when a pistol is removed from the holster and, when removed, for activating a controller to receive, process, and record in memory audio signals from a microphone and to receive, process, and record in memory motion and compass direction signals. A connector is provided for transferring signal data to an external device configured with software for analyzing the acoustical characteristic of gunshots.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of priorapplication Ser. No. 15/828,416, filed Nov. 30, 2017, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/428,209, filed Nov. 30,2016, both of which applications are hereby incorporated herein byreference, in their entirety. This application also claims the benefitof U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/880,075, filed Jul. 29, 2019,which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to a device and method for recordingdata such as audio, motion, and compass and direction data relating toactivity of a pistol.

BACKGROUND

Police must periodically use their weapons in the line of duty.Similarly, individuals must on occasion use a weapon in self-defense.These are tragic events that everyone would prefer to avoid, but whenthey nonetheless happen, the shooter must defend his or her action. Suchdefense, though, is often difficult to substantiate, often relyingsolely on the testimony of the shooter. Therefore, what is needed is asystem and method for providing an improved defense for a shooter.

SUMMARY

The present invention, accordingly, provides a low cost, wearable,recording device for the sole purpose of self-defense andself-representation. The device is mounted or attached on or to a pistolholster, belt, shirt pocket, the outside of a lady's purse or a pouchtype holster, or the like using a metal clip, screws with nuts, barrelscrews, rivets, Velcro®, or adhesive (e.g., glue), or the like. Thedevice focuses primarily on the actions and reactions of the user indefense before, during, and/or after a life-threatening incident toverify the user's innocence. The information gathered on the device willenable persons legally defending themselves to give a precise audio,video, timeline, and body movement account for investigators and thecourts.

Users of the device would preferably pre-record (i.e., prior to ashooting incident) samples of their voice and rounds fired by the pistolthey would carry while using the device to establish their own uniqueelectronic signatures. Alternatively, or additionally, electronicsignatures may be established by recording samples of a user's voice androunds fired by a pistol after an incident has occurred. The device canbe activated by either pushing a momentary “record” button or by aholster switch activated by drawing the pistol out of the holster. Thedevice will begin recording the instant the pistol is drawn and continuerecording for a predetermined period of time.

The recording quality is high and uncompressed to record at highresolution the unique audio signature of a fired round and can berecognized as belonging to the owner of the device. Identification of agunshot may be made by comparing the recorded audio of a gunshot topre-recorded (or post-recorded) samples. Other rounds fired will also berecognizable as not belonging to the device owner and may be travelingin the direction on the device wearer. This is achieved preferablyincorporating technology to identify gunshots by its respectiveacoustical characterization, such as discussed in an article found atthe following link:http://www.montana.edu/rmaher/publications/maher_ieeesafe_0407_109-113.pdf.Additional functions of the device include recording date and time,preferably via a real time clock with a long life, e.g., 10-years,battery, movement (preferably via a gyroscope) of the wearer, andoptionally by video from the view of the pistol as it is being aimed inself-defense. The device, other than the real time clock, is preferablypowered by rechargeable (e.g., lithium ion) batteries (preferablysupplying 3.3 volts, optionally via a power converter) with a nonuseshelf life of at least six months.

Recorded information is preferably analyzed using software that placesall the data on a single screen and in linear timeline format. The realtime clock is preferably set at the time of manufacturing, is providedwith its own power source, and is tamper-proof. The end-user only needsto register his or her device at the time of purchase, and make sampleaudio recordings of his or her voice and weapon being fired. Thetransfer of all data is preferably done through a flash drive interfaceeach time the device battery is charged (e.g., every 60 to 180 days)(access to a computer is not necessary). Generally, the software onlyneeds to be used when analyzing the data when an incident occurs or forthe user to periodically verify the device is working properly.

In a preferred embodiment, a small power-on LED indicator light,preferably of a color such as green, is mounted on the device. It ispreferably configured to flash twice when the system is turned on and isworking properly, and to stay on when recording.

There is preferably also a small LED indicator light, preferably of acolor such as red that is different from the green power-on LED, mountedon the device. It is preferably configured to be on continually toindicate when there is a low battery warning (e.g., less than 3.3volts), and to flash to indicate an inoperably low battery warning(e.g., less than 3.0 volts).

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basisfor modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 exemplifies a pistol in a holster to which is attached a pistolactivity recording device embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 exemplifies the pistol of FIG. 1 in the process of being removedfrom the holster of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the pistol of FIG. 1 totally removed from the holster ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 exemplifies a printed circuit board utilized in the pistolactivity recording device of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 exemplifies a printed circuit board for use in an alternateembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 exemplifies a block diagram showing various components andinterconnections of the various components in one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is a screenshot exemplifying acoustical characterizations of agunshot;

FIG. 8 exemplifies an alternate embodiment of a holster for which theinvention may be used;

FIG. 9A exemplifies a switch mounted on the holster of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9B is a cross-section of the pistol and holster of FIG. 9A takenalong the line 9B-9B of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10 exemplifies one ancillary device that may be used in connectionwith the device of FIGS. 1-9B to insert in the barrel of a gun whichdoes not holster;

FIG. 11 exemplifies an alternative ancillary device that may be used inconnection with the device of FIGS. 1-9B to insert in the barrel of agun which does not holster;

FIG. 12 exemplifies a Kydex® holster with a switch mounted therein;

FIG. 13 shows a switch internal to the Kydex® holster of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a flow chart exemplifying steps of operation of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are, for the sake ofclarity, not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similarelements are designated by the same reference numeral through theseveral views. In the interest of conciseness, well-known elements maybe illustrated in schematic or block diagram form in order not toobscure the present invention in unnecessary detail, and detailsconcerning various other components known to the art, such as printedcircuit boards, and components thereof necessary for the operation ofmany electrical devices, have not been shown or discussed in detailinasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain acomplete understanding of the present invention, and are considered tobe within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.Additionally, as used herein, the term “substantially” is to beconstrued as a term of approximation.

It is noted that, unless indicated otherwise, many functions describedherein may be performed by a processor such as a microprocessor, acontroller, a microcontroller, an application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), an electronic data processor, a computer, or the like,in accordance with code, such as program code, software, integratedcircuits, and/or the like that are coded to perform such functions.Furthermore, it is considered that the design, development, andimplementation details of all such code would be apparent to a personhaving ordinary skill in the art based upon a review of the presentdescription of the invention.

The term “pistol” is used herein to represent any weapon that a personmay carry in a holster, such as a knife, stun gun, pepper spray, and thelike.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 100 generallydesignates a pistol activity recording system incorporating a holster104 carrying a pistol 102. A pistol activity recording device 106 issecured to the holster and includes a holster switch lever 108. Asdiscussed in further detail below, if lever 108 moves more than 20°clockwise or counterclockwise, shown by arc 108 a, that is indicativethat pistol 102 has been removed from holster 104, as shown more clearlyin FIGS. 2 and 3. Accordingly, movement of the lever 108 in theclockwise direction is shown in FIG. 2 with the partial removal ofpistol 102 from holster 104. Movement of the lever 108 in thecounter-clockwise direction is shown in FIG. 3 with the full removal ofpistol 102 from holster 104.

FIGS. 4-6 exemplify two embodiments 200 and 202 and an electricalschematic 204 of a printed circuit board (“PCB”) constituting pistolactivity recording device 106 embodying features of the presentinvention, preferably including the following. It is noted thatdownwardly pointing triangular arrows in FIG. 6 represent ground.

A controller 250, also referred to as a microcontroller, controlsoperations of device 106. A memory 252 is coupled to controller 250 forstoring program code and data generated and used by controller 250.Memory 252 is preferably an embedded micro SD card that is not easilyaccessible by a user, and which has a capacity of preferably at least 4GB, up to about 64 GB.

A battery 260 is provided on the underside (as viewed in FIG. 4) of thePCB for supplying power to the PCB and its components. Battery 260 ispreferably a rechargeable lithium ion battery that holds a charge of 4.5to 5.5 volts. A power management module 254 preferably includes abattery charger 259 for charging battery 260, and a power regulator 258for maintaining a voltage such as 3.3 volts to the components of thePCB.

There are preferably four light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) indicators. Afirst LED 264, preferably green, indicates that the system is on and ina standby mode. The system is not doing anything obvious, but everyapproximately 0.5 seconds, an electronic log report is made, forexample, that the pistol is in the holster and in standby mode. A secondLED 265, preferably yellow, indicates that the person is wearing aholster. If the person hits the interface button on the front of thedevice, it starts recording, just as if the weapon were drawn, and willrecord for preferably thirty minutes, with all sensors live, and willautomatically shut down at the sooner of thirty minutes or the batterydead. A third LED 266, preferably red, indicates that the device isactive and a weapon is deployed. The device records for up to the soonerof four hours or until the battery is dead or the device runs out ofmemory. A fourth LED 267, preferably blue, indicates that data is beingtransferred from the device.

Two user switches are provided: a Power ON/OFF switch 256, and a userpush record switch (“US”) 262. Record switch 262 will preferably provideat least 30 minute increments of record time from the moment a userswitch is pressed.

Micro USB connector 268 is preferably USB-C coupled to controller 250for transferring data to and from device 106 and for providing batterycharge when the USB cable is powered by an external source. USB 268 mayoperate as a flash drive host when a USB flash drive is connected.ON/OFF switch 256 must be in ON position and battery sufficientlycharged to support a flash drive.

A remote enable connector 1224 and 324 (FIGS. 9A and 12, respectively)facilitates connecting to controller 250 an external switch connectorfor accessories to enable the recorder.

A real time clock (“RTC”) 272 coupled to controller 250 is preferablyset when manufactured and includes its own power source, preferably abattery 270 that can power the RTC for an extended time, such as sevenyears. RTC 272 is used by controller 250 for appending date-time stampsto data recorded in memory 252.

A motion detector (“MD”) 274 is coupled to controller 250 and preferablyincludes components such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass fordetecting motion, acceleration, direction of motion, and orientation ofa user during an altercation. The data generated is preferably receivedand managed and encrypted by controller 250 and stored in memory 252.

A microphone 276 is coupled to controller 250 for receiving audiogenerated during an altercation. The audio is preferably recorded at44.1 kHz with a bit depth of at least 16, preferably 32. More or lessaudio resolution may be used as suitable or as desirable. Microphone 276is preferably supplemented with an amplifier 278 connected betweenmicrophone 276 and controller 250, and the amplifier preferably includesAutomatic Gain Control (“AGC”). Microphone 276 is preferably replaceableshould the unit get wet.

The ON/OFF switch 256 powers on and off device 106. When switch 256 isOFF, operation of the device is disabled, with exception of the batterycharging function 259. User push record switch 262 may be pressed by auser to initiate recording or audio and motion. An external switchconnect 257 is effective in connecting an external switch to initiaterecording, as discussed below with respect to FIGS. 8-13.

Lever 108 (FIGS. 1-4) is coupled to a potentiometer 280 which is coupledto controller 250 for generating resistance to electrical current bywhich controller 250 can detect an amount of angular movement of lever108. In operation, the lever is calibrated when pistol 102 is positionedin holster 104. This is done by positioning pistol 102 in holster 104while device 106 is powered off. Then, when it is powered on, controller250 stores in memory 252 the angle of lever 108 (determined byresistance imposed by potentiometer 280). Then, if that angle deviatesby a predetermined amount, such as a deviation greater than 20° (see arc108 a in FIG. 1), that is indicative that pistol 102 is being, or hasbeen, removed from holster 104, and audio and motion should beginrecording, as discussed in further detail below.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment PCB 202 of PCB 200 which is similarto that shown in FIG. 4, but for the absence of potentiometer 280 andlever 108. PCB 202 facilitates use with remote switches, such asdiscussed below with respect to FIGS. 8-13.

FIG. 6 depicts the components discussed above with respect to FIGS. 4and 5, and their respective interconnections. As depicted in FIG. 6, infurtherance of the foregoing, a holster connection and activitydetection module 500 is coupled for two-way communication via lines 502and 504 with external switch (holster switch or lever potentiometer)connect 257. Module 500 is connected to a wake timer 261 via a line 506,and to controller 250 via lines 508 and 510, as discussed in furtherdetail below.

In operation, when device 106 is enabled by one of the switch inputs 256or 262 via line 508, the unit is preferably configured to record audio,motion, and compass direction of motion for a predetermined period oftime, such as 30 minutes or more. After the predetermined period oftime, the unit shuts down to conserve battery charge. Operation isindicated by a Run Indicator red LED 266. Audio and motion recording isactivated by one of user push record switch 262 (FIGS. 4 and 6), holsterswitch 108 (FIGS. 1 and 4), a closed remote switch 1206 (FIGS. 9A and9B) or 302 (FIG. 13) (used in a purse or carry pouch clip option), andwake timer 261 (FIG. 6) coupled between potentiometer 280 and controller250. Once activated, module 500 receives via lines 502 and 504 holsterswitch or lever potentiometer measurements from external switch connect257. The holster switch or lever potentiometer measurements arecommunicated to controller 250 via line 510 for processing.Alternatively, for the lever potentiometer connection, module 500 mayreceive via line 512 the holster lever position setting from controller250, and determine the differential lever measurement between thesetting and actual lever position. The determined differential levermeasurement would be sent via line 510 to controller 250. It is believedthat the design of module 500 to perform as described herein would beapparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art and, therefore,will not be described in further detail herein, except as necessary todescribe the invention.

When USB power 254 is applied, the lithium-ion (Li-ion) typerechargeable battery 260 will recharge and charge status will bepresented. The charge indicator will light 266 when power is applied forabout 2 seconds minimum and then indicate charging status.

Each device 106 is preferably provided with a unique 128 bit serialnumber that is applied for device tracking and record file encryption.The serial is embedded in controller 250 during manufacturing and isapplied to all recordings of data.

A recorded data event is maintained in one of two formats: Twotime-stamped and time-sequenced files where one file contains audio dataand one file contains motion data, or one file contains all of the eventdata. File(s) will preferably be encrypted by a unique algorithm thatincludes unit serial number and a digital pass key to decrypt.

Audio recording at memory 252 will provide playback, preferablycompliant to a 44.1 KHz or 48 KHz Wave file. Motion detector 274 willpreferably provide a 100 Hz sample rate.

Recorded files will preferably be maintained on SD memory card 252 untilmemory space is required by a new recording event. The files arepreferably removed in sequence of oldest first (FIFO) as memory space isneeded.

Recorded files at memory 252 will preferably be copied to a connectedUSB flash drive automatically in order of most recent file to the oldestfile. Files will preferably be copied until SD memory card 252 files arecopied complete or USB flash memory is full, whichever occurs first. USBflash memory will preferably not be formatted or existing files erasedor modified.

The Record Status green LED indicator 264 will preferably flash at abouta 1 second rate during USB file transfers and go out when complete. Ifan error occurs connecting the USB or transferring at least one eventset of files, the green status light 264 will preferably go out and thered battery light 266 will preferably flash about twice a second forfive seconds.

USB connection 268 will preferably stop any recording in process andclose the record file. This file will preferably be the first filecopied to the USB flash drive.

In a preferred embodiment, by way of example but not limitation, device106 would preferably be characterized as follows:

-   -   Mechanical Size: 4 inches long, 0.8 inches wide, 0.6 inches High        maximum    -   Battery Life: sufficient to record for at least one hour (e.g.,        220 maH capacity)    -   Charging Supply: +4.5V to +5.5V, 100 ma typical (2.5 hour full        charge rate)    -   Real Time Clock: +/−30 minutes per year, 7 years minimum run        time    -   Weight: TBD (6 oz estimated-AL 6061)    -   Microphone: 60 dB Gain minimum, AGC controlled (low        distortion/no clipping)

Connector, switch, and indicator locations may be adjusted depending onvarious factors, such as mechanical packaging.

FIG. 7 exemplifies a screen display 700 generated by an externalcomputer (not shown) showing acoustical characteristic software foranalyzing gunshots recorded by the device against gunshots from the gunin question. Screen display 700 includes a menu bar 702 for controllingfunctionality of the software. Gyroscopic data 718, compass(magnetometer) data 720, and motion data 722, all along color-coded x,y, and z coordinate axes, are displayed in motion on screen 700. Avisual of how that data affected the user is shown graphically in screenportions 704-712. Screen portion 704 displays a frontal view of theuser, while 706 shows a right side view, 708 a left side view, 710 a topview, and 712 a back view. For example, if a user is knocked down, itwould be reflected in each view accordingly. Screen portion 714 displaysaudio in decibels, on the vertical axis, with time on the horizontalaxis. In a preferred embodiment, the decibel waves shown move from rightto left with current time shown by a stationary line 715.

In a further embodiment, FIGS. 8-9B exemplify an alternate embodiment ofthe invention, useful when a pistol is not kept in a holster on, forexample, a person's belt. A Kydex® or similar trigger guard 1200 isadapted with a mechanical switch 1206 to activate the Record functionwhen pistol 102 is removed from the trigger guard. Switch 1206 issecured to the trigger guard through hole 1204. Switch 1206 iselectrically connected to controller 250 through a tether cable 1208comprising wires 1224, which preferably connect to controller 250through external connection 257. Cable 1208 preferably passes through ahole 1212 into an interior portion of trigger guard 1200, and is securedto trigger guard 1200 by restraint 1210 and to a purse or pouch or thelike via a hook such as a carabiner 306 secured on cable 1208 via a tie1222. Additionally, trigger guard 1200 provides an extra layer ofprotection by enclosing the trigger, and it is easily adaptable to anyweapon. Trigger guard 1200 would preferably include tether cable 1208and carabiner 306.

In a still further embodiment, FIGS. 10 and 11 exemplify ancillarydevices 150 and 170, respectively, that may be used in connection withthe device 106 of FIGS. 1-7 to insert in the barrel of a gun which doesnot holster, but which may be stored elsewhere, such as in a purse orpouch. When a pistol is removed from a purse, the device 150 or 170 isdislodged from the barrel, allowing a flexible metal strip, such as thestrip 156 or 172 to expand and close a circuit which activates (i.e.,closes) a switch to record subsequent activity, as would the holsterswitch lever 108.

In a still further embodiment, FIGS. 12 and 13 utilize a Kydex® triggerguard 300 as described above with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9. A switch 302however is mounted under the pistol barrel and is configured for sendinga signal through a tether cable 304 if pistol 102 is removed from thetrigger guard. Tether cable 304 comprising wires 324 is secured to apurse or pouch or the like via a hook such as a carabiner 306 secured ontether cable 304 via a tie 322.

FIG. 14 exemplifies steps 1400 in the operation of the invention.Beginning in step 1402, execution proceeds to step 1404 wherein adetermination is made whether pistol 102 has been removed from holster104. If it is not determined that pistol 102 has been removed fromholster 104, then execution remains at step 1404; otherwise, executionproceeds to step 1406. While not shown, a person may alternativelyoverride step 1404 by activating record switch 262 to manually initiaterecording and proceed directly to step 1406. In step 1406, controller250 is activated and green status LED 264 lights up. In steps 1408-1414,audio signals are received and encrypted, a date-time stamp is appendedto the encrypted audio data, and the encrypted audio signal is recordedin memory 252. Steps 1410 and 1412 may be reversed. In steps 1418-1424,motion signals are received and encrypted, a date-time stamp is appendedto the encrypted motion data, and the encrypted motion signal isrecorded in memory 252. Steps 1420-1422 may be reversed. At step 1416, adetermination is made whether to quit recording due to a timeout (e.g.,after 30 minutes), or due to low battery power. If not, then executionreturns to steps 1408 and 1418.

It is understood that the present invention may take many forms andembodiments. Accordingly, several variations may be made in theforegoing without departing from the spirit or the scope of theinvention. For example, capacitive touch activation may be utilized tooperate the device, e.g., to power on the device, or activate the recordfunction.

In another example, Near Field Sensing (NFS), a system that communicatesin one direction, may be employed by sensing the presence of a smallfixed magnetic field that can be strategically positioned on the weaponto signify that the weapon is either in the holster or has been deployedby closing a switch.

In a still further example, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is aweapon deployment indicator much like NFS, but it relies on radiosignals transmitted back from an RFID chip and a transmitter ispositioned on the weapon to discern whether a weapon is either in theholster or has been deployed.

In a still further example, Bluetooth and/or Near Field Communication(NFC) may be used to transfer and store data on a phone, activate thephone's audio and/or visual recording system, establish a GPS location,and automatically dial 911 and send data, such as a user's location.

Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain ofits preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosedare illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range ofvariations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplatedin the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of thepresent invention may be employed without a corresponding use of theother features. Many such variations and modifications may be consideredobvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review ofthe foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it isappropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in amanner consistent with the scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device for recording pistol activity, thedevice comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB) mountable to a holster;a controller mounted on the PCB; a memory coupled to the controller forstoring data received from the controller; an electrical power supplycoupled to the controller and memory for supplying electrical power tothe controller and memory; a microphone coupled to the power supply andcontroller for generating audio signals to the controller forrecordation in the memory; a spring-loaded lever rotatably mounted tothe PCB and positionably dependent on the presence or absence of apistol in the holster; a potentiometer coupled to the controller andpositioned in a cooperative relationship with the lever to rotatesynchronously with the lever and generate to the controller a resistanceto electrical current corresponding to the angle of the lever; andwherein the controller is configured to activate the microphone forgenerating audio signals to the controller for recordation in the memoryif the resistance to electrical current deviates more than apredetermined amount from the resistance to electrical current measuredwhen the lever rests on a pistol positioned in the holster.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the power supply is a battery.
 3. The deviceof claim 1, further comprising an output connector coupled to thecontroller for outputting data stored in the memory to an externaldevice.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a clock coupled tothe controller for providing date-time stamps for the controller toapply to the audio signals.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprisingan accelerometer mounted to the PCB and coupled to the controller forgenerating to the controller motion signals indicative of motion alongthree axes, which motion signals are recordable by the controller in thememory.
 6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a compass mountedto the PCB and coupled to the controller for generating to thecontroller direction signals indicative of direction of motion alongthree axes, which direction signals are recordable by the controller inthe memory.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a gyroscopemounted to the PCB and coupled to the controller for generating to thecontroller gyroscopic signals indicative of orientation along threeaxes, which gyroscopic signals are recordable by the controller in thememory.
 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a record switchmounted on the device for activating the controller to receive andrecord to the memory the audio signals.
 9. The device of claim 1,further comprising an indicator coupled to the controller to indicatethat recording is active.
 10. The device of claim 1, further comprisingan indicator coupled to the controller to indicate battery status. 11.The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured forencrypting signals stored in memory.
 12. The device of claim 1, whereinthe controller is configured for recording audio signals for apredetermined period of time.
 13. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising: motion and compass direction indicators coupled to thecontroller for generating to the controller signals indicative of motionand compass direction, which motion and compass direction signals thecontroller stores in the memory; and wherein the controller isconfigured for recording, for a predetermined period of time, audiosignals and motion and compass direction signals.
 14. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising an output connector mounted on the PCB andcoupled to the controller for outputting data stored in the memory to acomputer configured with acoustical characteristic software configuredfor analyzing gunshots recorded by the device against gunshots from thegun in question.
 15. The device of claim 1, further comprising: anaccelerometer mounted to the PCB and coupled to the controller forgenerating to the controller motion signals indicative of motion, whichmotion signals are recordable by the controller in the memory; and anoutput connector mounted to the PCB and coupled to the controller foroutputting motion data stored in the memory to a computer configuredwith motion characteristic software configured for analyzing motionrecorded by the device and for generating to a graphical display agraphical image representing motion of the user.
 16. The device of claim1 wherein the holster is made from Kydex®.
 17. A method for recordingpistol activity, the method comprising steps of: mounting a printedcircuit board (PCB) to a holster, the PCB including: a controllermounted on the PCB; a memory coupled to the controller for storing datareceived from the controller; an electrical power supply coupled to thecontroller and memory for supplying electrical power to the controllerand memory; a microphone coupled to the power supply and controller forgenerating audio signals to the controller for recordation in thememory; a spring-loaded lever rotatably mounted to the PCB andpositionably dependent on the presence or absence of a pistol in theholster; a potentiometer coupled to the controller and positioned in acooperative relationship with the lever to rotate synchronously with thelever and generate to the controller a resistance to electrical currentcorresponding to the angle of the lever; positioning a pistol in theholster with the lever resting on the pistol; applying an electricalcurrent through the potentiometer, measuring the resistance imposed bythe potentiometer, and storing the measured resistance as a calibrationresistance; determining if a subsequent resistance to electrical currentapplied to the potentiometer deviates more than a predetermined amountfrom the calibration resistance; and upon a determination that thesubsequent resistance to electrical current applied to the potentiometerdeviates more than a predetermined amount from the calibrationresistance, activating the microphone for generating audio signals tothe controller for recordation in the memory.
 18. The method of claim17, further comprising encrypting signals stored in memory.
 19. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising: generating to the controllersignals indicative of motion and compass direction; storing the motionand compass direction signals in the memory; and recording, for apredetermined period of time, audio signals and motion and compassdirection signals.
 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:generating to the controller motion signals indicative of motion;recording the motion signals in the memory; and outputting motion datastored in the memory to a computer configured with motion characteristicsoftware configured for analyzing motion recorded by the device and forgenerating to a graphical display a graphical image representing motionof the user.